Joan Anne Gwynn Means

Joan Anne Gwynn Means of Kaysville, Utah — beloved mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend to so many — passed away in her home on June 27, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.

Joan was born on October 25, 1950, in Montebello, California. She worked for more than a decade at a U.S. bank in Los Angeles. When Joan and her husband Jerry moved to Kaysville, Utah, Joan ran a licensed daycare from her home for many years. Joan retired from Utah’s court system, where she worked for 15 years as an in-court clerk for Commissioner Dillon at the Farmington court. Joan was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many church callings. However, her favorite calling was teaching primary music to the children. Joan married her sweetheart, Jerry Craig Means, on September 12, 1970, in the Los Angeles Temple.

Joan is survived by her children, Kelly Lynn Means and Ethan Means, and Ethan’s partner Aubrey Dehart; grandson Trace Means; brother Larry Gwynn and his wife Colleen; sister Ruth  Parker and Ruth’s husband, Madison Parker; sisters-in-law Brenda and Linda Means and Carol Alsop; 22 nieces and nephews; and many extended family members including the Beesley family. She also had a special bond with the Green children in her neighborhood, whom she affectionately called her grandchildren, and in turn, she became their Grandma Joanie.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jerry, her father Maurice Gwynn and mother Ruth Shaw Gwynn, her father-in-law William “Bill” Means, her brother Dennis Gwynn, Norman and Carole Beesley.

Joan’s family surrounded her with deep love and comfort during her final days in 2021 — a tribute to an exemplary, compassionate woman with expressive eyes and with a gift for regaling others with anecdotes about her rich life experiences.

Joan’s sister Ruth and brother-in-law Madison lived with and cared for her over the last six years and made beautiful memories together. Together, they regularly hosted family gatherings and holiday family traditions. Ruth and Joan loved to do water aerobics with their ward sisters and were featured in a magazine article as a story of inspiration and hope for others as Joan had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2014. Madison and Joan spent many afternoons playing cards with each other. She could not have been happier than when her loving sister and brother-in-law were by her side after her beloved husband, Jerry, passed away in July 2015.

Joan was very proud of both her children, whom she and Jerry adopted. They were sealed together as a family in the LDS temple. Joan waited patiently for more than one year for her baby girl, Kelly Lynn, whom they adopted from Kelly’s foster Mother, Reba, in Los Angeles, California, in late 1980. Finally, in 1991, Joan and Jerry adopted their beloved son, Ethan  Means, from Calcutta, India. Ethan was brought from Calcutta by his caretaker and placed into the loving arms of Mother Joan, Father Jerry, and Sister Kelly after several years of waiting for the immigration process to complete. Joan valiantly served her children and impressed upon them the values she so lovingly exemplified throughout her life. We will dearly miss our precious “Mamalama” she was the greatest gift we could have been given and blessed our hearts with immense love. We will remember her for her courage, strength, humility, and grace. We are so proud of her and the beautiful life we shared. Until we meet again, Mama.

Our family extends our deepest thanks and gratitude to Joan’s daughter Kelly, health aide Meliame “Ame” Sotele, Cousin Addie Shaw and others who came in and provided care for Joan in her last days. We also share a heartfelt thank you to Joan’s Homecare Hospice Team, Marcos, Nurse Laura, and all the beautiful nurses that affectionately provided care for Joan and her family through a difficult time.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 6, at 11 am at the LDS Chapel on 500 S. Main St in Kaysville, Utah. Graveside services will be held at the Kaysville City Cemetery.

Services will be available virtually via Facebook Live at:  https://www.facebook.com/Russon-Mortuary-Crematory-105412734572327

Services will also be streamed on this page under the obituary at 11:00 AM.